Proverbs 11
1 A deceitful scale is an abomination with the Lord, and a fair weighing is his will.
False balances are an abomination before the Lord: but a just weight is acceptable to him.
2 Wherever arrogance may be, there too is insult. But wherever humility is, there too is wisdom.
Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: but the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.
3 The simplicity of the just shall direct them, and the rebellion of the perverse will devastate them.
When a just man dies he leaves regret: but the destruction of the ungodly is speedy, and causes joy.
4 Wealth will not profit in the day of vengeance. But justice shall liberate from death.
[Possessions will not profit in a day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death. ]
5 The justice of the simple shall direct his way. And the impious will fall in his impiety.
Righteousness traces out blameless paths: but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.
6 The justice of the upright shall free them. And the iniquitous will be seized by their own treachery.
The righteousness of upright men delivers them: but transgressors are caught in their own destruction.
7 When the impious man is dead, there will no longer be any hope. And the expectation of the anxious will perish.
At the death of a just man his hope does not perish: but the boast of the ungodly perishes.
8 The just one is freed from anguish. And the impious one will be handed over instead of him.
A righteous man escapes from a snare, and the ungodly man is delivered up in his place.
9 The pretender deceives his friend by mouth. But the just shall be freed by knowledge.
In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.
10 In the good of the just, the city shall exult. And in the perdition of the impious, there shall be praise.
In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers: but by the mouth of ungodly men it is overthrown.
11 By the blessing of the just, the city shall be exalted. And by the mouth of the impious, it will be subverted.
[At the blessing of the upright a city shall be exalted. ]
12 Whoever despises his friend is destitute in heart. But the prudent man will remain silent.
A man void of understanding sneers at [his fellow] citizens: but a sensible man is quiet.
13 Whoever walks dishonestly reveals secrets. But whoever is of a faithful soul conceals what is confided by a friend.
A double-tongued man discloses the [secret] counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters.
14 Where there is no governor, the people shall fall. But where there is much counsel, well-being shall be.
They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety.
15 He will be afflicted with evil, who provides a guarantee for an outsider. But whoever is wary of traps shall be secure.
A bad man does harm wherever he meets a just man: and he hates the sound of safety.
16 A gracious woman shall discover glory. And the robust will have wealth.
A gracious wife brings glory to her husband: but a woman hating righteousness is a theme of dishonor. The slothful come to lack: but the diligent support themselves with wealth.
17 A merciful man benefits his own soul. But whoever is cruel casts out even his close relatives.
A merciful man does good to his own soul: but the merciless destroys his own body.
18 The impious does work with inconstancy. But for the sower of justice, there is the reward of faithfulness.
An ungodly man performs unrighteous works: but the seed of the righteous is a reward of truth.
19 Clemency prepares life. And the pursuit of evils prepares death.
A righteous son is born for life: but the persecution of the ungodly [ends] in death.
20 A depraved heart is abominable to the Lord. And his will is with those who walk in simplicity.
Perverse ways are an abomination to the Lord: but all they that are blameless in their ways are acceptable to him.
21 Hand in hand, the evil shall not be innocent. But the offspring of the just shall be saved.
He that unjustly strikes hands shall not be unpunished: but he that sows righteousness he shall receive a faithful reward.
22 A beautiful and senseless woman is like a gold ring in the snout of a swine.
As an ornament in a swine's snout, so is beauty to an ill-minded women.
23 The desire of the just is entirely good. The anticipation of the impious is fury.
All the desire of the righteous is good: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
24 Some distribute their own goods, and they become wealthier. Others seize what is not their own, and they are always in need.
There are [some] who scatter their own, and make it more: and there are [some] also who gather, [yet] have less.
25 The soul that blesses shall be made fat. And whoever inebriates will likewise be inebriated himself.
Every sincere soul is blessed: but a passionate man is not graceful.
26 Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.
May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives [it].
27 He does well to rise early, who seeks what is good. But whoever is a seeker of evils shall be oppressed by them.
He that devises good [counsels] seeks good favor: but [as for] him that seeks after evil, [evil] shall overtake him.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. But the just shall spring up like a green leaf.
He that trusts in wealth shall fall; but he that helps righteous men shall rise.
29 Whoever troubles his own house will possess the winds. And whoever is foolish will serve the wise.
He that deals not graciously with his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise man.
30 The fruit of the just one is the tree of life. And whoever receives souls is wise.
Out of the fruit of righteousness grows a tree of life; but the souls of transgressors are cut off before their time.
31 If the just are repaid upon the earth, how much more the impious and the sinner!
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
